Foot exerciser



June 6, 1950 J. A. PQUGH ETAL 2,510,193

I FOOT EXERCISER Filed Feb. 28, 1947 INVENTOR. \7J/m 7 0w G'zoeaz 20607 Patented June 6, 1950 FOOT EXERCISER John A. Pough and George A. Pough, Bridgeport, Conn.

Application February 28, 1947, Serial No. 731,438

2 Claims.

This invention relates to exercising devices and more particularly and specifically to a foot exercising device of which the following is a specification.

The primary object of this invention resides in the provision of a new and improved exerciser for increasing the circulation of blood within the foot and for strengthening and exercising the weak muscles in the arch of the foot.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a device as set forth which when used to exercise the feet acts to cause the weakened muscles and bones of the feet to return to their normal positions and to strengthen them in their positions.

Another and still further object of this invention is the provision of an exerciser which is rolled beneath the feet and which may be varied in its degrees of rigidity and hardness.

Still another object resides in the provision of a device of the character described which is of an extremely simple and inexpensive design and which is small and compact for easy storage and ready availability.

Still further improvements and advantages of this invention will readily appear to those skilled in the art when the following description is read in the light of the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the exerciser.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of this invention, and in which like numerals indicate similar parts throughout the several views, the exerciser resembles a dumbbell and comprises a pair of oval hollow rubber bulbs I and 2- each of which is provided with a raised annular ridge 3 disposed circumferentially and concentrically thereabout and which is substantially semicircular in cross-section.

These bulbs are disposed in end to end spaced I alignment and a rubber tube or hose 4 interconnects them with the hollow core 5 of the tube opening into and interconnecting the hollow centers of the bulbs.

A pneumatic valve B of a conventional type is provided in the outer end of one of said bulbs and may include a valve stem 6 extending axially outwardly of such bulb. The valve B and hollow core 5 of the tube 4 enable said pair of bulbs to be equally inflated from an external source to the hardness desired by the user, and similarly air may be released from the bulbs by depressing the valve stem 6 to unseat a typical valve, not shown, in a well known manner.

In operation the exerciser is placed on the floor in a horizontal position and is rollably supported by the raised portions 3.

When sitting in a chair the user places both feet on the exerciser, one on each bulb, and rolls the exerciser back and forth beneath his feet or kneads it with his toes thus exercising and strengthening the foot muscles and increasing the circulation.

Additionally, by standing with both feet on the exerciser, the toes may be exercised and the arch, being supported on said bulbs, is strengthened.

Thus it may be seen that a new and improved exerciser has been provided for the strengthening of weakened and deformed foot muscles and bones.

Having thus described the construction and function of this invention and with full belief that modifications in size, materials used, and general characteristics would not constitute a departure from the spirit of the invention within the purview of the claims asserted in this application, what we desire to claim in Letters Patent 1. An inflatable foot exerciser, comprising a pair of similar inflatable bulbs of oval configuration, an elongated hollow pliable tube connecting said bulbs together and providing communication between the interiors thereof, whereby said bulbs are inflatable as a unit, a pneumatic valve carried by one of said bulbs for inflating and deflating the same and the other bulb simultaneously, and a raised annular ridge formed on each of said bulbs concentricallythereof and adapted to rollably support said bulbs on a surface.

2. An inflatable foot exerciser, comprising a pair of hollow rubber bulbs, a hollow rubber tube connecting said bulbs together to provide a unit, said tube providing communication between the interiors of said bulbs, a raised annular ridge formed on each of said bulbs concentrically thereof, said ridges being adapted to rollably support said bulbs on a surface, and a pneumatic valve in one of said bulbs for permitting the inflation and deflation of said unit.

JOHN A. POUGH. GEORGE A. POUGH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,630,911 Wentz May 31, 1927 1,882,490 Falck Oct. 11, 1932 2,286,324 Wentz June 16, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 353,894 Great Britain July 29, 1931 372,874 France Apr. 20, '1 

